The Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets team understand how many considerations there are when it comes to updating or replacing your kitchen. Our information guides are designed to offer quick and easy insight into all things related to solid wood, kitchens and cabinetry, plus other information that may interest and inspire you!

So, if you're thinking about making a purchase, or are just interested in learning a little more about the wonderful world of solid timber kitchens, please feel free to explore our extensive library.

If you would like to view all the information guides in a particular category, please use the following links:

A compendium of articles to help you choose accessories and appliances to suit your solid wood kitchen. Includes popular guides such as 'Buying Small Appliances for Oak Kitchens' and 'Buying Cooker Hobs for Solid Oak Kitchens'.

In the ‘Cabinetry’ category you will find guidance on anything and everything to do with kitchen cabinets; these articles will contain product knowledge, history, information on specific timbers and cabinet construction. This section will be updated regularly so do keep an eye out for new guides.

These questions were sent in directly by our customers, and have been answered with assistance from our in-house kitchen experts. We will be posting a new question every week, so do check back for the answers to further popular queries.

Handy hints about our services, product ranges, and much more. Our 'General' guides cover a wide range of topics, from a 'Pre-Drilling Service' article to a helpful run-down of the online ordering process entitled 'How to Order Solid Wood Kitchens'.

A selection of guides that will prove both inspirational and informative when planning your kitchen. Features useful articles such as 'How to Create a Shaker Kitchen' and 'How to Create a Farmhouse Kitchen with Solid Oak Kitchen Cabinets'.

For a full list of the Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets information guides, please click here.

If you are looking for something in particular, please use the following search:

Recent Information Guides from Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

“In Solid Wood Kitchens, How Much Space Do End Panels Take Up?”

This week we received a question from Bruno in Builth Wells, who would like to know how much space to leave for end panels in solid wood kitchens.

QUESTION:

“I’m currently planning my kitchen design and I would really like to add in an end panel as a feature at the end of the row of oak cabinets. I haven’t got a lot of space available, so I need to be precise in my measurements. How much space does an end panel take up?”

ANSWER:

Hello Bruno,

Thank you for your interest in our solid oak cabinetry and end panels. End panels make an attractive finishing touch for any kitchen and can be sanded, lacquered or painted to complement your cabinet frontals. They are also available in two styles: smooth and flat (standard), or tongue and groove.

Our standard end panels can be purchased in a standard width of 620mm, in a choice of two heights: 995mm or 3000mm. This means a standard end panel can be added to either a base cabinet or full height cabinet. Standard end panels are 27mm thick, which should be factored into your kitchen plan if you choose this style of panel.

Our tongue and groove end panels are available in a wider range of sizes. These can be purchased as 325mm wide panels with a height of 570mm, 720mm or 900mm (suitable for finishing a run of wall cabinets), or as a 600mm wide option with a height of either 995mm or 3000mm. Tongue and groove panels are 18mm thick, which should be accounted for in your kitchen design if you opt for this particular style.

Walls are often not perfectly vertical, particularly in older properties; as such – when taking measurements – be sure to verify what the distance will be between cabinets and kitchen walls at both the top and the bottom of the units.

End panels can be installed to create an attractive overall finish to your kitchen, or to disguise an appliance fitted at the end of a run of cabinets. If you would like to do the latter, we recommend purchasing a moisture barrier to deflect any heat and moisture emitted by the appliance.

Appliance housing cabinets are ideal for creating a ‘complete’ final look in any kitchen. For oak kitchens in particular, our specialist appliance housing cabinets are a smart addition, keeping metal bodywork hidden and emphasising the presence of all-natural materials.

We offer a range of appliance housing cabinets to accommodate ovens and microwaves. These are built from solid European oak, all of which is sustainably sourced, meticulously cut and carefully finished with a hard-wearing, stain-resistant lacquer. All cabinets that feature drawers use high-quality fixings from BLUM™ and are finished with our beautiful solid oak frontals (which are available with the choice of a sanded, lacquered or painted finish).

Find out more about our popular and affordable appliance housing cabinets:

Why clutter up your countertop with a microwave when a microwave cabinet can create an attractive feature whilst keeping your work space clear?

This useful cabinet combines 18mm thick panels – constructed from staves of solid oak – with a complementary oak frontal in a Shaker or Traditional style (allowing you to coordinate this unit with the rest of your cabinetry). Frontals are provided with a convenient, lift-up hinge, giving easy access to any kitchen items that are stored overhead.

Microwave housing wall cabinets can be purchased in the following dimensions:

These under-counter cabinets are well-suited to ovens with a width of up to 595mm. Made with the same solid oak panels as our microwave cabinets, these units sit neatly within a run of standard units.

Our oven housing base cabinets come with either a ‘dummy’ frontal – which provides an attractive finishing panel beneath the oven – or a drawer, for convenient storage of cooking utensils or baking trays. If you opt for a drawer, only high-quality BLUM mechanisms will be used.

We offer cabinets that are suitable for housing single ovens in a range of measurements. The solid oak panels are made from 18mm thick staves, providing a sturdy and robust encasing. The panels are coated in an attractive, long-lasting lacquer; this provides resistance to stains, and both wet and dry heat.

These specially-designed units are available in a variety of configurations, offering a number of options that incorporate doors and drawers. For certain styles, a handy lift-up door can also be incorporated.

All of our full height oven housing cabinets come with a convenient 75mm service gap, to allow for any wiring or pipes your oven may require.

Full height single oven cabinets are available in the following configurations:

Similar to our full height single oven cabinets, these units feature a larger aperture to accommodate a taller, double oven. This style of oven is ideal if you frequently cook for several people, or if you want to save on counter space by purchasing an oven with a separate grill compartment.

The cabinet carcass is constructed from the same attractive oak panelling, measuring 18mm thick, with the choice of Shaker frontals, Traditional frontals or no frontals.

These tall cabinets can be purchased with a height of either 1965mm or 2145mm to suit your kitchen’s dimensions, and are available with a number of door and drawer combinations.

Height (mm)

Width (mm)

Depth (mm)

Door & Drawer Combinations

Height of Aperture (mm)

1965

600

570

2 doors

1 door & 2 pan drawers

Cabinet only

886

886

886

2145

600

570

2 doors & dummy drawer

1 door, 2 pan drawers & dummy drawer

Cabinet only

877.5

877.5

986

Our oven cabinets are supplied with four adjustable legs (with plinth clips), which are not factored into the heights stated above. These legs measure between 135mm and 175mm when fully extended.

For appliances supplied with drawers, we offer a delightful range of high-quality options from BLUM. This luxurious selection includes Tandembox Antaro drawers (with either a grey powder-coated frame or brushed stainless steel frame, and enclosed oak side panels) or Intivo drawers (with a ‘Silk White’ powder-coated stainless steel frame, and open-top sides with oak inserts).

Previously, we have offered cabinet pre-assembly for customers at an additional charge; however, this service proved so popular that it is now included at no extra cost for most postcodes in the country! Unless you are awaiting other kitchen components and would like to opt out, your cabinetry can be delivered via our in-house two-man service and fully-assembled for your convenience.

Order cabinet samples to discover the high quality of our cabinet units before making your purchase; these sample sections are representative of the superior finish and materials used here at Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets®. Samples cost just £5 and are delivered with a discount code that will allow you to redeem this amount when you place an order with us.

“When referring to cabinets in solid oak kitchens, what is a service gap?”

We were recently sent a question by Duncan in Barnstaple, who would like to know what a service gap is and why it is needed.

QUESTION:

“My new cabinets for solid oak kitchens have just been delivered! I am planning to install them this weekend, but I noticed that my installation instructions refer to a ‘service gap’. I wanted to ask you what the service gap is, and what is it for?”

ANSWER:

Hi Duncan,

Thank you for your email, and for purchasing our high quality oak kitchen units! We are happy to hear your cabinets have arrived promptly, and know you will be immensely pleased with them once installed.

A kitchen unit service gap – or service void as it is sometimes known – is a small, empty space behind your cabinets that is an important consideration in any kitchen design. Service gap measurements can vary from company to company, and depend on the type of cabinet you purchase.

The space concealed with a service gap is used to disguise any wiring, water pipes and waste pipes that sit behind your cabinetry, removing the need to create unsightly cut-outs in the back panel of the cabinets. If your kitchen wall has any larger protrusions, however, it may be necessary to remove a section of your cabinet’s back panel to accommodate them. Alternatively, you can move the cabinets forward slightly and purchase deeper wooden worktops that covers the extra space behind the units.

Service gap details for units from Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets®:

Standard and specialist base cabinets: 75mm

300mm depth slimline base cabinets: 10mm

450mm slimline base cabinets: 40mm

Wall cabinets: 10mm

Full-height cabinets: 75mm

If you have any further queries regarding your new kitchen cabinets, installation or aftercare, please do not hesitate to get in touch again by telephoning us on 0345 22 22 990, or by emailing .

Kind regards,

The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

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Kitchen ovens are available in a huge variety of styles and can become an impressive feature in solid wood kitchens – especially if you have invested in a stunning new range cooker, for example. Do you have a cooker you are proud of, or would like to make into a feature? Simply follow these top tips on how to make yours stand out from the crowd:

Pilasters

Simple to install, pilasters are a decorative addition to any kitchen and help highlight the features you love the most. These fetching solid wood frontal accessories are available in a range of styles, so you can easily find one to suit your kitchen – whatever the design. If you prefer to opt for simplicity, our classic pilasters have an elegant, square-edged aesthetic, and come in a variety of widths. They can also be painted, sanded or lacquered to compliment the rest of your kitchen. If you are looking for a more decorative look, we offer ornate pilasters in a range of styles, too.

Kitchen Breakfronts

Image courtesy of diy-kitchens.com

Image courtesy of centsationalgirl.com

A kitchen breakfront is a section of your sideboard that protrudes slightly, to give added emphasis to a beautiful range cooker; this effect can also be used simply for decoration, or can be embraced for range cookers with substantial depth, and is also a great feature around an elegant Belfast sink, if you wish. Adding pilasters, corner posts or tailored worktop off-cuts can give extra embellishment to cabinets surrounding ovens, too, though solid oak end panels will need to be added to cabinets for these extras to be attached to.

Splashbacks

Tiling, stainless steel or glass kitchen splashbacks are not only an attractive feature that creates a more ‘finished’ look; they are also perfect for protecting walls against stains from inevitable sauce splashes. Whichever style you choose, splashbacks look excellent when colour-coordinated with your oven, and are sure to bring it some well-deserved attention.

Splashback Surrounds

If a simple splashback is not grand enough, you can enhance this area by surrounding it with attention-grabbing design details. An attractive oven mantle creates a sophisticated look, making it the focal point of any kitchen. Similarly, bridging units can be used to give a similar effect, whilst also providing lots of additional storage space for frequently-used cooking condiments and utensils.

We have a number of beautiful kitchen showrooms around the country, where you can see some examples of these beautiful kitchen features. If you would like to find out more about the wide range of appliances we have on display – from reputed brands such as Rangemaster, Falcon, Mercury, Neff and Fisher & Paykel – please don’t hesitate to contact our showrooms directly to make an appointment.

“Do you recommend oiling your island trolleys for oak kitchens?”

This week we received an email from Luke in Middlesbrough who has purchased one of our kitchen island trolleys – a practical and attractive accessory for oak kitchens. Knowing that we strongly recommend oiling wooden worktops to preserve the timber, Luke wants to know whether he should oil his wooden kitchen trolley, too.

QUESTION:

“I have just purchased the wooden island trolley with tabletop from your website. I opted for the trolley with the lacquered beech frame and beech work surface as it will look great with my existing beech worktops. I’ve been oiling my wooden worktops every three to six months as you recommended: should I do the same for the worktop on the trolley?”

ANSWER:

Hi Luke,

Thanks for getting in touch! We are so pleased to hear you are giving your beautiful beech worktops the care they deserve. This regular oiling will help stop the timber from drying out – or worse, splitting – as well as maintaining its level of resistance to water and preserving its natural radiance.

You are wise to consider the requirements of the timber tabletop. Of course, the beech frame of your trolley will have been coated with a hard-wearing, stain-resistant lacquer, so it will require no further maintenance (apart from occasional cleaning with warm soapy water). The beech tabletop will have been treated slightly differently, though; instead of finishing with lacquer, our craftsman use Danish Oil to create a protective seal (it will have been given several coats before leaving our workshop).

As such, the tabletop will require further oiling – though the frequency is dependent on the amount it is used. Whilst worktops are usually subject to daily wear, this is not always the case with a kitchen trolley. If you find you are using the trolley regularly, it would be worth oiling the surface and your worktops simultaneously. However, if use isn’t that common, you need only oil the surface if it starts to lose its healthy lustre or water resistance. To test this, leave a droplet of water on the surface. If the droplet rests where it is, there is sufficient water resistance; but if the water is slowly absorbed into the timber, more oiling is required. As well as preventing the wood from drying out, this will also protect it against water marks.

When you receive your new kitchen island trolley, it would be good practice to oil the tabletop once a week for the first six weeks (this will ensure that you build up the adequate water resistance).

Please do contact us again if there’s anything else that we can help with.

Kind regards,

The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Ask us now on , or send us a message.

Ensuring you have the right kitchen fitter is just as important as the solid oak kitchen cabinets you choose. Fortunately – if you shop at Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets – you can be certain that your cabinetry and other components will be highly attractive and of excellent quality.

However, having invested in a beautiful new kitchen, the last thing you want to do is risk a poor overall finish or inadequate installation. Many of our customers choose to install our products themselves and as such enjoy more control over the installation; but for larger kitchens it may be necessary to hire a fitter. Our handy information guide is here to help you sort the kitchen experts from the cowboy fitters.

Capabilities and Qualifications

All kitchen fitters should be savvy in the way of fitting units and worktops. If you require installation of appliances or sinks, however, you should verify whether a potential fitter can install gas ovens or hobs, relocate plugs sockets, re-plaster any walls as required and install sinks with plumbing. If you require any services that your kitchen fitter will not be able to perform, these tasks will need to be outsourced to another company. If you need to delegate many tasks to other companies, you are likely to end up paying more, so it is worth doing your research first.

Safety should be your greatest priority. If your kitchen fitter says they are happy to fit gas hobs, install plumbing or move sockets, you should check their qualifications before hiring them. Professional qualifications include NVQ diplomas in plumbing and electrotechnical systems. For gas, check that your fitter is Gas Safe registered (if they are not, you risk invalidating your home insurance).

Ability to Handle Solid Wood

If you have ordered our beautiful, sustainably-sourced solid wood worktops, be sure to check how comfortable your fitter is with this material. Real wood has different characteristics to laminate worktops, for example, and your fitter should be aware of the correct practices for working with timber – or he/she should be prepared to do some research first (our handy ‘How to Fit a Kitchen: Wood Worktops’ guide might help). Incorrect installation can cause costly damage – and may even result in the need to replace your new worktops – so it is certainly worth considering this aspect carefully.

Recommendations from Friends and Family

When it comes to reviews, trust those you can rely on for honesty: friends and family. If a close friend or relative has recently had a kitchen installed, do not be afraid to ask for their opinion – your nearest and dearest are valuable sources of information! These are the best people to talk to for truthful and independent recommendations.

Testimonials and Review Sites

If you have found a company that sounds reliable and offers the services you require, check out the reviews on websites such as Trustpilot and Yell. These sites are independent and should paint a relatively reliable picture of the company’s previous work. However, it is worth remembering that customers who have had a negative experience may be more likely to post a review than happy customers. Companies that care about their work will also respond to negative reviews to try to resolve any issues.

If you have used a kitchen designer, they may also be able to offer you professional advice and recommendations about which fitter to use.

Cost Considerations

Find out how your preferred kitchen fitter charges for their work. Do they offer a daily rate or a flat fee? In certain cases, fitters who accept a fixed payment may have more incentive to work quickly. This is not to say that any kitchen fitter who works for a daily rate will be likely to dawdle on the job, but a good fitter should be able to give you an estimate of how long the installation will take. If you opt for a kitchen fitter who charges a daily fee, the possibility of the job taking longer than expected should be factored into your budget before you commit.

A Final Tip…

Inadequate knowledge – and use of the wrong tools or parts – can cause expensive damage, so it is definitely worth investing time in finding the best fitter.

You can tell a lot about your potential kitchen fitter by their attitude on the telephone. Good fitters will listen attentively to the details you give them and make an effort understand your needs – they should not be rushing to get you off the phone! A fitter who takes the time to listen to you is likely to take real pride in their work.

“What cabinet unit widths are available for solid wood kitchens”

The latest ‘Question of the Week’ was sent in by Lucy from West Hampstead who emailed to find out what widths of cabinets we offer for those interested in purchasing our solid wood kitchens.

QUESTION:

“I am about to re-do my kitchen as it’s in great need of an update, and I would love to buy some of your oak cabinets. My kitchen has fairly small proportions, so I was wondering if you would let me know what widths your cabinet units are available in, so I can work out which ones I need to fit them perfectly between two walls.”

ANSWER:

Hi Lucy,

Many thanks for getting in touch. Fitting out a new kitchen is a serious undertaking, and we are happy to help however we can!

We stock a broad range of cabinets, all made from solid Europe oak and coated with a durable and hard-wearing lacquer. Our cabinetry is eligible for our handy pre-assembly service – available free-of-charge – to all postcodes covered by our standard two-man delivery service.

There is a wide range of units available at Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets, from standard base and wall units to drawer units, appliance-housing units and specialist cabinets. In the case of our sturdy base units, widths begin from as little as 150mm, and range up to 1200mm. They are also available with a depth of 300mm or 450mm for our slimline cabinets, or 570mm for our standard cabinets. Base units with drawers are available in widths ranging from 300mm to 1000mm, and come with a selection of door and drawer combinations.

For added storage above your work bench, our wall units vary from 150mm to 1200mm wide, come with a range of heights, and a standard depth of 300mm.

“Is shopping for solid wood kitchen cabinets online as secure as in a shop?”

If thinking of buying solid wood kitchen cabinets online, it is only sensible to look for reassurance that your purchase is eligible for the same returns policies as if you were shopping in a store. For this reason, Ralph from Edgware telephoned us this week, before purchasing his new kitchen cabinetry.

QUESTION:

“I’ve been looking at your kitchen cabinets online and the prices are fantastic. I know your company has an excellent reputation, but I just wanted to check about the safety of shopping on a website (rather than in a store) before placing my order. Are my consumer rights the same?”

ANSWER:

Hi Ralph,

Thank you for contacting us! As experts in solid wood kitchens, we are pleased that you have come to us to purchase your new kitchen cabinets and, as an internet retailer, it is very important to us that our customers feel happy and safe when shopping on our website.

As far as consumer rights are concerned, there is no difference between shopping on the internet and on the high street. This means that if your goods arrive damaged or not as described (an extremely rare occurrence for us, you’ll be pleased to know!), you are entitled to a refund or exchange (in line with the Sales of Goods Act).

Furthermore, there is an added advantage to shopping on our website, rather than with a high-street retailer. We purchase our solid oak cabinets and wooden worktops from suppliers to sell directly to our customers, allowing us to cut out the high-street ‘middle-man’. By doing this, we can sell our products at substantially lower prices than those offered in a shop. What’s more, we have many years of experience working with wood, which means – if you have any queries – you can rest assured that we know what we are talking about.

If you would like to order a cabinet sample before making your purchase, please visit our ‘Cabinet Samples’ page.

When starting work on the design of a beautiful new solid oak kitchen, you may wonder about the ideal combination of base, wall and full-height cabinet units.

From pull-out larder units to oak corner cabinets, we have a breadth of kitchen cupboards that would be perfect for providing all the storage you require. However, poorly-matched cabinetry can create a disharmonious aesthetic – and as such we recommend taking a few of our handy hints into account before finalising your new kitchen plan.

Placement of Full-Height Units

Full-height kitchen cabinets can prove infinitely useful as a method of maximising storage potential. Instead of simply combining a base and wall unit, opting for a full-height cupboard utilises all the space inbetween. Our comprehensive range of options also allows you to incorporate a pull and swing pantry or full-height larder unit from our wirework collection, or a full-height appliance housing unit for a microwave or oven. Whilst providing you with necessary storage, these units will reduce worktop space (something you will need to consider carefully).

We advise placing full-height units at the end of a run of cabinetry. This prevents an interruption of your wooden worktop, which can prove inconvenient when progressing from one stage of food preparation to the next. In many solid oak kitchens, it is best – and easiest – to place full-height cabinets alongside a wall, as this stops the cabinet from appearing to intrude.

Alternatively, you may have the ideal recess in your kitchen in which to add a couple of full-height units, optimising your use of space, and creating the illusion of a room with a more regular shape.

Smaller Kitchens

In smaller kitchens the temptation may be to utilise a number of wall units to maximise storage; however this strategy can make the room feel crowded. In this scenario, we recommend combining wall and base units: this will allow for the maximum amount of wall space whilst providing a gap between upper and lower cabinetry (which in turn will create the illusion of space).

If wall and base units aren’t necessary throughout smaller kitchens, it is advisable to restrict wall units to corners of the room, opening up the kitchen in a way that will let more light in.

Image courtesy of Don Harris Architects

Larger Kitchens

If you are lucky enough to have a big kitchen, you are able to be a little more flexible with the placement of your solid oak cabinets. For a seamless composition that is easy on the eye, allocate one wall for full-height cabinets, and one wall for base and wall units with a swathe of worktop in the middle. Similarly, you could install wall and base units on one side of your kitchen, and install only base units against the perpendicular wall. This ‘cabinet grouping’ technique creates a stylish look that is undemanding – ideal for a relaxed kitchen environment.

Convenient Wall Cabinets

It is possible to pair practicality with a beautiful aesthetic: and if this sounds good to you, we have a great recommendation to share. Think carefully about the types of items you will be storing in your cabinetry. In many kitchens, it is common for items such as glasses, mugs and plates to be kept in wall units (access is easier due to the items being at eye-level). If this is your intention, it is sensible to locate wall cabinets near to your sink or dishwasher, so that clean items can be put away with maximum efficiency. Similarly, to remove the effort of carrying large pans or heavy dishes around your kitchen, it is wise to situate base units with deep pan drawers close to the area in which these items will be washed.

Specialist Sink Units

A number of sink units are available from Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets. We offer Belfast sink cabinets for supporting these traditional sinks, as well as sinking housing cabinets for overmounted and undermounted sinks. The tradition of placing sink units beneath your kitchen window is worth considering: this allows you to take in the view and enjoy daylight whilst performing necessary daily tasks. This often provides a focal point for your kitchen, too; so – if you have a number of windows to choose from – it’s sensible to place a sink in the middle of a run of cabinet units.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your order in more details, please feel free to email us at or give us a call on 0345 22 22 990. Our team would be happy to assist with any queries that you may have.